But he's not the only offensive dynamo who is about to embark on a pro career in the Red Wings organization after putting junior hockey in the rear-view mirror.

Andreas Athanasiou might not be as heralded as Mantha but the club is excited about his potential after he nearly joined Mantha in the 50-goal club last season.

Athanasiou has blossomed into a major goal scorer since being taken by the Red Wings in the 2012 NHL draft and it's not a stretch to say he's flashier than Mantha given his stick-handling abilities, creativity with the puck and outstanding skating ability.

"He's unbelievably fast," said fellow Red Wings prospect Tyler Bertuzzi, who played against Athanasiou in OHL.

Like Mantha, Athanasiou is destined to begin his pro career full-time in Grand Rapids of the AHL this season.

But doesn't mean the highly confident forward won't have an NHL roster spot on his mind when training camp begins in September.

"I think that's everyone's expectation no matter how far or how close it is," said Athanasiou, who scored 49 goals for the OHL's Barrie Colts last season. "Everyone's expectation is to become a National Hockey League player. That's what I'm going to strive for.

"If I come up short, I'm going to be ready for wherever I go next year. I think I have the ability to play in the NHL. It's just a matter of how soon."

He was drafted after scoring 11 goals for the London Knights in 2011-12 and adding 22 more the following season. But unhappy with his ice time, Athanasiou requested a trade and really exploded after being dealt to Barrie.

Athanasiou took advantage of an expanded role by scoring 29 times in 2012-13 before falling one short of the magic 50-goal plateau last season.

"I don't think I've grown in it," said Athanasiou, who turns 20 next month. "I think it's something I've always had in my game. It's just a matter of how much opportunity I had. If you look back at all my years, I think I produced exceptionally for the amount of ice time I got.

"With more opportunity, I made the most of it. Obviously, being a 16-year-old and 17-year-old, I didn't get much opportunity. If you look at the opportunity (compared) to the points and goals, I think it was exceptional. I was in Barrie last year and they gave me an unbelievable opportunity.

"I knew I was capable of it. I just knew with the opportunity I'd make the most of it."

When Barrie was eliminated from the OHL playoffs, Athanasiou was called up to Grand Rapids. In two regular-season games, he had one goal and two assists before drawing one assist in six playoff games.

Few members of the Red Wings organization are more familiar with Athanasiou than Grand Rapids coach Jeff Blashill, who conducts the club's summer development camp in Traverse City and was behind the bench when Athanasiou helped the Red Wings win their annual prospects tournament last year.

"Andreas has great ability," Blashill said. "I thought he was great in the development camp and he was great in the prospects tournament. He just needs to continue to learn all the little things it takes to be successful at the pro level.

"He has flashes of brilliances but it can't be just flashes. It's got to be consistent every day and I think he's getting better at that. But that's just part of the maturation process."

Athanasiou was at the development camp for the third time this month and took on more of a leadership role by doing things like leading the players in stretching before practices and scrimmages.

Athanasiou is ranked No. 8 among Red Wings prospects – Mantha is No. 1 – but is near the top when it comes to those who are the most NHL ready, according to director of player development Jiri Fischer.

"He's certainly in the mix with Anthony Mantha," Fischer said. "Tomas Nosek has already played on the world stage with the Czech Republic. There's several forwards that are going to come to camp with big expectations.

"Somebody has to grab somebody else's job."

In addition to growing as player, Athanasiou has gotten bigger physically since being drafted.

In the past two years, he's grown two inches to 6-foot-2 and added 21 pounds to tip the scales at an even 200. And he might not be done growing since he has an older brother who stands 6-4.

Although breaking training camp with the Red Wings will be his goal in September, Athanasiou knows he's headed back to Grand Rapids, where he finished last season.

"It was a lot of fun," he said. "I got a taste of pro hockey. It gave me experience and let me know what it takes to be a professional.

"It's just one step closer to becoming the person I want to be and a National Hockey League player."